Grissom stood in the living room waiting for Sara to finish dressing. He had made reservations for seven at a quiet, ambience filled Italian restaurant and for a date such as theirs, it would be perfect. He straightened his jacket then turned when he heard them step out of the bedroom and walk down the hallway. A smile slowly, like a caterpillar, crept up his face. God she's beautiful. He took in a deep breath and took in the scent of her as she approached. He thought he could smell a hint of jasmine and maybe some lavender. It was quite a mixture, mingled with her own body chemistry. Sara steadily made her way to him and when she stepped into his personal space she touched his arm and asked, "Are you ready?" Then her smile met his and they both turned to say goodnight to their daughter and close friend.
Catherine and Laredo watched them walk to Sara's car. Laredo laid her head against Catherine's shoulder and then said, "Mommy pretty."
Catherine smiled. "Yes, she is. I think your Daddy is twitter-pated again?" Laredo quickly looked up at her with an expression of curiosity. She had heard a very different word.
Laredo tried in earnest to say the word, "Tw, twipated?" Catherine laughed and began tickling Laredo mercilessly as they both sat on the sofa. Catherine would continuously help Laredo try to pronounce that very funny and different word all night long.
When Grissom and Sara began to drive away, he tuned in the radio to a classical station and quickly set their mood for the night. Grissom glanced over to her and took in her dress and hair again. All he could think was how stunning she was. He had always seen her as a woman but tonight his senses were electrified at the sight of her. She caught his eyes and knew what he was doing. She smiled then asked, "So, where are we headed?"
"There is a small, quiet, little known restaurant on the other side of town and I thought it would be a nice place to start. Italian." Grissom replied as he watched her hand fidgeting with the skirt on her dress. She's just as nervous. He grinned.
"Yes, that'll be nice." Sara started to chew on her bottom lip and wondered why her heart was racing so fast and she couldn't seem to sit still. It's Grissom for crying out loud. She blinked. No, it's not, it's Gil. Her mind raced as she realized that there really was a difference. She began to fiddle with the skirt of her dress again when she felt warmth envelope it. She stared down at her lap and saw Grissom's hand holding hers. She tilted her head slightly to see him staring ahead at the road then he turned to look into her eyes. Suddenly, she didn't feel the need to be touching her skirt anymore.
When they reached the restaurant, Grissom parked close to the front door and swiftly made his way over to help her out of the car. As she stood, the smile on her face appeared to grow and her eyes sparkled with the shine of the setting sun. They walked into the restaurant hand in hand.
The hostess approached and smiled at the two of them. "Dr. Grissom, welcome back again. We have the table you requested waiting for you if you will follow me." When she turned, the hostess' grin broadened. He's found the one. She was very happy for the lonely man that always came alone.
When they were seated, Sara looked around and Grissom could see she was wondering where the menus were. "I hope you don't mind. I already told them what we would be having." And immediately after saying that, a waitress approached with a bottle of wine and poured the drink into each of their glasses.
"Gil?" Sara's question went unfinished as Grissom reached across the table and held her hand.
"Sara, I have for several years, tried to envision what I thought our first official date would be like. I've wanted to do this for such a long time but never thought I would be allowed the pleasure of fulfilling it. You've always been a bright spot in my life and now it has grown to encompass my world. I just want you to enjoy tonight." He watched as her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. He knew it was from happiness or else there wouldn't be a smile on her lovely face. "I didn't say it before, but you look lovely tonight. I know you sometimes think I don't notice you as a woman but Sara, I do. I always have and sometimes that's why I may have seemed closed off. After that night we shared in San Francisco, I puzzled over the thought that maybe you had regrets because you never mentioned it. Then, with you here, I thought, no, I hoped that you were actually just as afraid as I was to begin something." He stared into her eyes as he spoke and then watched with a grin as she bit her lower lip to keep from interrupting him. He smiled. "I guess what I am trying to say is, thank you. Thank you for telling me about Laredo, for allowing me to be a part of her life and also for pulling me into yours."
For a moment there, the hostess thought she was going to watch a proposal happen, but alas no, it wasn't to be. But maybe, I will, sometime soon. She motioned for the waitress to move forward at that point to place the bruschettas on the table with the balsamic oil. Grissom and Sara withdrew their hands when they saw the waitress approach. She told them the food would arrive shortly and then left them again.
Sara's head was spinning. She had never heard anything so lovely and she wasn't quite sure how to respond. She wanted to say something, something to give him a clue that she felt the same but couldn't seem to find the words that wouldn't sound corny. "Gil, I," She breathed deeply and looked down at her lap trying desperately to form some kind of words. "I really don't know what to say. You've taken my breath away. I have never regretted that night. I never once thought of not having or keeping Laredo. When I found out I was pregnant, I was ecstatic for the fact that I had a piece of you with me, always, whether you would want her or not. I never had any doubt in my mind that she was yours, because from the first day I met you, there wasn't anyone else. I moved to Las Vegas to be near you in whatever form it came in, whether just as friends or if we became more. My dreams were never of our first date or whether or not you would finally see me as a woman. But they always showed me how much I wanted you in Laredo's life. It means more to me than you'll ever know that you accepted her without any reservations and now it makes me wonder how I could ever have kept it from you. I thought I knew you well, but you have shown me over this past week how much I have to learn. And Gil, I really do want to learn."
Their hands met again across the table and the candle light on the table flickered as they moved closer to have their lips meet in a kiss full of love and joy. They pulled apart and sat there as they took in the other's words that were spoken. Their conversation remained in that same tone. And they talked of their wants, desires and other aspects of their lives they needed and wanted to share. The food arrived and the conversation turned to their daughter and friends. Ideas were shared and a meeting of minds was made as they continued on until Grissom realized it was time for them to leave. The next part of this planned evening was yet to take place. They left after thanking the waitress and hostess. Hand in hand again they walked to the car with Grissom helping her in and shutting the door. They drove off further into the outskirts of Vegas.
Sara again wondered where they were going and asked him. Grissom held her hand and then lifted it to his lips and pressed them to her fingers. "I want to show you something." His eyes danced with the pleasure of finally being able to fulfill the next portion of his dream. They turned onto a dirt road that wound its way upward and disappeared into a thick wooded area. He finally stopped the car when he heard her sharp intake of breath. She turned to him and smiled as she leaned in toward him. She reached her hand around his neck and pulled him to her, kissing him deeply. They pulled apart and stepped out of the car. Walking to the front, they met in the middle and stared out over the city of Las Vegas, with all its bright lights blinking at them. They were able to just make out the Belaggio's fountains and watched them as they seamlessly performed their show.
He wrapped his arm around her back and let his hand slip down to her hip. She did likewise as they both stared at the sights before them. The air was warm and although they could see the lights of the city, they were still able to watch the twinkling lights of the stars. Sara had a quick thought and left Grissom abruptly to open the trunk of the car. She returned with a smile on her face and a blanket in her hand. He smiled too and helped her lay it out on the ground. They sat down and curled into the warmth of the other. Finally able to relax, he lay down beside her, supported by his elbow. She leaned back against him, one arm behind his back. He looked up into her face and then let himself reach upward to finger the curls in her hair. The happiness she felt was evident on her face and he vowed never to make her unhappy again.
She leaned down and brushed her lips against his then soon found herself lying next to him. He pressed his body against her and pulled her closer. They remained like that for a long while, kissing and touching each other without the lustfulness of sexual tension. Just happy to be together, knowing they would have other times. They remained curled together until almost falling asleep. Realizing how close he was to falling asleep, Grissom pulled away from her slowly and helped her stand, then he gathered the blanket and made their way back home and to their daughter. Sara fiddled with her hair as she felt some of the curls had fallen from the pins that had come loose. For some odd reason, she was worried about Catherine seeing her in a disheveled state. I don't want Catherine thinking we'd been up to something.
They pulled up to the house and saw the flickering light through the front window of the television. When they walked in, they were surprised to find the living room empty. They walked down the hallway and soon found out why.
All curled up on Laredo's tiny bed, were Catherine and their baby girl. Laredo was sound asleep with her thumb in her mouth and Catherine held her tucked against her chest. They tiptoed their way back out and decided to let Catherine remain where she was.
Sara went to Grissom's bedroom while he walked down and shut the television off. When he arrived back to his room, Sara was taking the pins out of her hair. He walked up behind her and stopped her motions. She let her hands fall to her sides and allowed Grissom to gently continue pulling the pins out. He then made sure there were no more pins by running his fingers through her silky hair and then slowly began massaging her scalp. Sara leaned back against his chest, fully relaxed and let escape a small sigh from her lips and closed her eyes. This is heaven. He then held her close until finally he spoke, "Sara, let's go to bed." She nodded as he nudged her forward and began to unzip her dress. He turned around to let her finish changing then he did likewise. After climbing into bed, they snuggled closely and soon fell into a blissful sleep.